We just received a press invitation from Google to an “Android Press Gathering” for January 5. That coincides a report that T-Mobile has advised employees that Google will be selling its own phone with T-Mobile “support” on January 5. So, the rumor of a new Google phone called “Nexus One” is moving closer to reality.

From the press email we received:

With the launch of the first Android-powered device just over a year ago, we’ve seen how a powerful, open platform can spur mobile product innovation. And this is just the beginning of what’s possible.

Please join us in Mountain View on January 5, for an Android press gathering.

The press conference begins at 10am that day.

Meanwhile at TmoNews, they’ve got a screenshot from T-Mobile showing an internal support page for employees about a new phone from “Google, with support from T-Mobile,” to be sold “solely by Google via the Web.” Sources tell TmoNews that the order form will open at 9am (no time zone stated) on January 5. With the press conference at 10am Pacific, I wouldn’t expect the order form to open before that.